Stay Safe

Becoming familiar with National Forest regulations is an important part of planning your hunting trip. Common questions about motor vehicle use, stands, trapping, and target shooting are addressed below but your local Ranger Station is the best resource for current forest conditions.

Parking and accessing the National Forests

• Park off the traveled portion of the road and do not block traffic.
• Do not block gates, emergency access may be needed.
• Adhere to ATV/OHV laws and regulations: remain on designated trails only; designated trails must be posted open to ATV/OHV use.
• Do not travel off the forest road systems with vehicles.
• Review Motor Vehicle Use Maps for road designations and restrictions.

Stands and Blinds

Temporary tree stands and ground blinds are allowed as long as no damage is done to any living tree in erecting, maintaining, using or accessing the stand or blind.

• Must be portable and temporary, no permanent structures are allowed.
• Owners name and address must be displayed on the stand or blind.
• Ground blinds and tree stands cannot be placed on the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont prior to the third Thursday of August and must be removed by the third Thursday of December.
• Ground blinds and tree stands cannot be placed on the Finger Lakes National Forest in New York prior to September 2 and must be removed by December 31.
• Fasteners for portable ground blinds cannot penetrate the bark of a tree. This includes the use of nails, bolts, screws (including access steps), wire, chain or any other material that may penetrate through a living tree's bark.
• No live limbs, shrubs, or trees can be cut.

Trapping

Trapping is allowed on the Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests with a valid state trapping license. Season dates and limits are set by the state. All applicable State and Federal laws and regulations must be followed.

• Vermont trapping regulations
• New York trapping regulations

Target Shooting

Target practice with a rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, handgun, or bow and arrow is permitted provided you abide by all state and federal regulations.

• A hunting license is not required when shooting at identifiable, artificially constructed targets and/or when no attempt is made to take game.
• All trash must be packed out, including shell casings and targets.
• Glass targets are prohibited.

When recreating on your National Forests, keep in mind that hunting is allowed on the Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests with valid state hunting licenses and within appropriate season dates. Visitors may continue to use their National Forests during hunting seasons but are encouraged to “plan ahead and prepare” accordingly.

Here are some tips for recreating safely during hunting seasons:

• Know when the hunting seasons are! Continue to recreate, but always be aware of the season and what else may be happening so you can best prepare.
  • Vermont hunting seasons
  • New York hunting seasons
• Make yourself visible. Wear brightly colored clothing; blaze-orange is highly recommended. Avoid earth tones and black or white clothing.
• Make yourself heard. Whistling or conversing with a buddy can help alert hunters of your presence.
• Be courteous. Once a hunter has acknowledged your presence, there is no need to make excessive noise to disturb wildlife.
• If you see something that does not seem right, or if you have concerns, contact either the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, or the Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forest after your trip.
  • Report a violation to Vermont
  • Report a violation to New York
  • Contact the Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forest
• Protect your pet. While not required outside of developed areas, it may be a good idea to keep your pets on a leash. Consider an orange vest for them as well and perhaps even a bell for their collar. A leash and blaze-orange is the best way to help them be safe and seen as well.